Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 Hi I'm in the market for an M-Sport BMW at the moment and have come across a few I've been keen on but I have questioned whether they are genuine M-Sport cars or if they've just been blinged in Japan by the previous owner. A few of the things I tend to look out for (but I'm not 100% sure are even true indicators are) -Motorsport badge on inside door trim -Extendable thigh support on front seats -Motorsport badge on steering wheel -Motorsport wheels etc. So I don't want to go out buying a "motorsport" car and finding it's just got a body kit on it and different wheels so if possible it'd be nice if some BMW veterans could share their experience. Thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thorburn 121 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 e39 e46??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 Both. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 IMO best way is to get a build sheet on the car, Then you know excatly what it has ie 337 M SPORTS PACKAGE 226 SPORTS SUSPENSION SETTINGS 255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL 481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER 788 M LT/ALY WHEELS and so on., Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
APT 189 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 Where do you get a build sheet from ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elmarco 56 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 ^^ What he said... Mine is a non-motorsport and has 2 of the things you have listed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 (edited) Dealer, When i was looking at buying and checking cars out when I came across one I liked i would drop into the dealer and they would print me out a build sheet. I have to admit they were pretty good as i must have dropped in about 10 times , But at the end of the day they are getting my $$ when i need servicing etc. Edited July 17, 2010 by M-Spec Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 IMO best way is to get a build sheet on the car, Then you know excatly what it has ie 337 M SPORTS PACKAGE 226 SPORTS SUSPENSION SETTINGS 255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL 481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER 788 M LT/ALY WHEELS and so on., That's great, thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sp8s 1 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 Where do you get a build sheet from ?Try looking under the back seat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 Try looking under the back seat How do you get under the back seat? If the car is ex-Japan will the dealer have a build sheet? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 (edited) quote the chassis number(last 7 digits of the vin) at the dealer and yo u will get a version of this Type code HD12 Type 535I (ECE) Dev. series E34 () Line 5 Body type LIM Steering RL Door count 4 Engine M30 Cubical capacity 3.50 Power 155 Transmision HECK Gearbox MECH Colour DIAMANTSCHWARZ METALLIC (181) Upholstery SCHWARZ LEDER (0203) Prod. date 1989-12-01 Order options No. Description 200 KATALYSATOR - ENTFALL (no catalytctic converter) 209 LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (25%) 226 SPORTS SUSPENSION SETTINGS 291 BMW LM SCHMIEDERAD/KREUZSPEICH (alloy wheels) 302 ALARM SYSTEM 320 MODEL DESIGNATION, DELETION (no model badge) 335 M TECHNIC SPORTPAKET (mtech body kit, front spoiler skirts,rear wing, aero rear bumper cover) 339 SATIN CHROME (matt black finish around windows instead of chrome) 401 SLIDING/VENT ROOF, ELECTRIC 458 SEAT ADJUSTMENT, ELECTRIC. F DRIVER/PASS 481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER 498 HEADRESTS IN REAR, MECHANIC. ADJUSTABLE 500 HEADLIGHT WASHER SYS/INTENSIVE CLEANING 534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING 548 SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING 560 CO-PILOTS IN RR COMPARTMENT (reading lamps in rear ) 563 BEL.MAKE-UP SPIEGEL (make up mirrors(or lights for make up mirror) 571 BOOSTED POWER SUPPLY (140 w alternator/aux battery?) 676 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM 687 RADIO PREPARATION 708 M-SPORT LEATHER STEERING WHEEL II 806 Neuseeland Ausfuehrung 847 erweiterter Kabelbaum 850 ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT 925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE Edited July 17, 2010 by kiwi535 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 Wow, that's extensive. So how exactly do you find that? Just tell the dealer the chassis number? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted July 17, 2010 (edited) Try looking under the back seat I forgot all about that lol, When i had my e36 i found it under the back seat How do you get under the back seat? If the car is ex-Japan will the dealer have a build sheet? They are stapled to the underside of the seat squab. (but you will not always find one) The dealer (Bmw of course) is able to pull up a build sheet on any bmw as long as you supply the vin number. Edited July 17, 2010 by M-Spec Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 all you need is the chassis number and a co operative BMW dealer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JaseNZ 53 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 all you need is the chassis number and a co operative BMW dealer Yes co operative being the key, Not all would do this for you i would say. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Yes co operative being the key, Not all would do this for you i would say. Ok that's great, thanks for your help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sp8s 1 Report post Posted July 18, 2010 Try PMing Glenn He should be able to help you if you ask nicely Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites